Do-gooders come to the aid of 30 cats stranded in empty home

Published: Monday, December 31, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 31, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.

Monika Turner didn't have to spend New Year's Eve as a home break-in artist, after all.

For a while on Monday that seemed to be the plan. Turner was so concerned about some cats languishing inside an unoccupied Ocklawaha home that she contemplated burglary.

But Animal Services stepped in and the crisis — the immediate crisis, anyway — was averted. The county agency contacted the homeowner, who met with an officer at the home and replenished the cats' food and water.

The drama started Sunday, when Turner got a call from friend and fellow animal enthusiast Ellie Hunt. Some people had called Hunt, concerned about a situation in their neighborhood.

Turns out a bunch of cats were living inside the unoccupied house, which is in the 13000 block of Southeast 120th Street. There was no running water (the spigot outside was dry) and the electric meter wasn't running.

Turner and Hunt are animal lovers and provide foster care for dogs. They arranged for food and water to be put on the screened porch — no one entered the home structure — and called the county's Animal Services office.

Turner returned to the house on Monday. Someone had locked the cats inside the house — they could no longer access the screened porch — and then left.

“We can't get back in to feed and water them,” Turner said Monday afternoon.

Animal Services told Turner only one employee was working during the holiday period. An officer called the home's owner but had not gotten a response.

By mid-afternoon Monday Turner was so frustrated that she contemplated breaking into the house.

“These animals' lives are more important” than getting in trouble, Turner said.

County spokeswoman Elaine McClain filled out the rest of the story.

The officer met with the homeowner at the property on Monday. Turner was there, too.

For some reason the designated animal caretaker had not refilled the food and water bowls as required. The homeowner has been away.

The cats were tended to properly on Monday afternoon. But the future is still a worry.

The homeowner cannot care for the cats. He does not live at the home.

With the homeowner's permission, Turner took eight of the cats on Monday. He is willing to give up the others, as well, but it's too much for Turner to handle.

“I've got 15 dogs right now,” she said.

Anyone who can adopt a cat is asked to check the Facebook page for Monika Turner or Hunde House dog rescue. Otherwise, the cats face a trip to the shelter.

By late afternoon Monday, Turner was able to head for home in hopes of averting another animal crisis.

It was New Year's Eve and people tend to celebrate loudly. Turner said her horse “doesn't do well with fireworks.”

Reach Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.

<p>Monika Turner didn't have to spend New Year's Eve as a home break-in artist, after all.</p><p>For a while on Monday that seemed to be the plan. Turner was so concerned about some cats languishing inside an unoccupied Ocklawaha home that she contemplated burglary.</p><p>But Animal Services stepped in and the crisis — the immediate crisis, anyway — was averted. The county agency contacted the homeowner, who met with an officer at the home and replenished the cats' food and water.</p><p>The drama started Sunday, when Turner got a call from friend and fellow animal enthusiast Ellie Hunt. Some people had called Hunt, concerned about a situation in their neighborhood.</p><p>Turns out a bunch of cats were living inside the unoccupied house, which is in the 13000 block of Southeast 120th Street. There was no running water (the spigot outside was dry) and the electric meter wasn't running.</p><p>Turner and Hunt are animal lovers and provide foster care for dogs. They arranged for food and water to be put on the screened porch — no one entered the home structure — and called the county's Animal Services office.</p><p>Turner returned to the house on Monday. Someone had locked the cats inside the house — they could no longer access the screened porch — and then left.</p><p>“We can't get back in to feed and water them,” Turner said Monday afternoon.</p><p>Animal Services told Turner only one employee was working during the holiday period. An officer called the home's owner but had not gotten a response.</p><p>By mid-afternoon Monday Turner was so frustrated that she contemplated breaking into the house.</p><p>“These animals' lives are more important” than getting in trouble, Turner said.</p><p>County spokeswoman Elaine McClain filled out the rest of the story.</p><p>The officer met with the homeowner at the property on Monday. Turner was there, too.</p><p>For some reason the designated animal caretaker had not refilled the food and water bowls as required. The homeowner has been away.</p><p>The cats were tended to properly on Monday afternoon. But the future is still a worry.</p><p>The homeowner cannot care for the cats. He does not live at the home.</p><p>With the homeowner's permission, Turner took eight of the cats on Monday. He is willing to give up the others, as well, but it's too much for Turner to handle.</p><p>“I've got 15 dogs right now,” she said.</p><p>Anyone who can adopt a cat is asked to check the Facebook page for Monika Turner or Hunde House dog rescue. Otherwise, the cats face a trip to the shelter.</p><p>By late afternoon Monday, Turner was able to head for home in hopes of averting another animal crisis.</p><p>It was New Year's Eve and people tend to celebrate loudly. Turner said her horse “doesn't do well with fireworks.”</p><p><i>Reach Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.</i></p>